It’s been a couple of years since I read Volume 1 of this manga about two friends who share daily “challenges,” by Tokuwotsumu. At the end of that volume I said, “They support one another, confide in each other and just generally are very good friends without complication.”

So, we might expect that in Volume 2 of Ise-san and Shima-san, (伊勢さんと志摩さん), we get some complication. And we do get some complication, but not at all what we might have expected. And what we get is absolutely delightful.

First, we are asked to look backwards at how Ise-san and Shima-san became roommates in the first place. And it is here we are handed our first surprise. Ise-san asks Shima-san to share a place and is shocked to find that the other woman’s reaction isn’t…well…encouraging. Devastated that Shima might not enjoy her company as much as she enjoys Shima’s, Ise finally tracks her down and asks if Ise doesn’t want to room. What Shima tells her is unexpected – she is a woman who loves women. Ise had no idea, since Shima’s always popular with guys, and yeah, no it doesn’t change a thing about her friendship with Shima. So they become roommates and embark on an adult life of enjoying their days together. ^_^

That said, it does change something, when Ise is approached by a guy in the office, asking her to talk to Shima on his behalf. Ise is taken by surprise and half-asses a response, but then is taken by surprise again when Shima reacts angrily – Ise knows how she feels, how could she even consider it? Ise tells the guy she cannot do this for him, and she and Shima make up, but…this whole scenario had me screaming at the guy who is presumed to be an adult – wtf?!? This isn’t school, ask the lady out yourself, sheesh. But Shima has a great point about how they are so close, but they aren’t lovers or family and it puts them in an awkward position sometimes.

As the volume winds down, Ise-san is confronted with a challenge and a secret of her own. She’s being offered a promotion and a transfer. And, that would lead her to have to move. Away from her happy life with her friend. She breaks down at last and Shima is totally there for her. They promise what they can promise, that right now, they are there for each other only. “More than Friends, Less than Lovers” fits well here…and we really need to talk about how it is WAY past time that society allows a legal bond that reflects this kind of found family. Why do we get to entrust everything to someone just because we have sex with them, but not because we *trust them with everything*?  It’s bizarre that parents and children are family, but our best friends whom we trust most or siblings, even, aren’t for purposes of medical and legal issues.

Back to Shima and Ise – they sleep in the same bed, holding hands and get ready for work the next day, 100% ready to defend their happy existence. They sit down to talk to to the boss about it and the boss says, “Oh, didn’t I say? I meant both of you?” Bwah~bwah~bwah~~~. ^_^  The volume ends on their newest challenge – finding an affordable place to live in Osaka!

Shima and Ise are intimate without being lovers throughout, although…that is more on the table now than it was previously. Their emotional bond is definitely right on that line. I still couldn’t tell you why, particularly, but I love Tokuwotsumu’s art. It always makes me happy.  In the end that was exactly what this series did – it made me happy. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – YMMV, but for me 8
Story – 8
Characters – 9  They feel like real people
Yuri – 7 Let’s be honest  – a “relationship” already exists here.
Service – Nuh-uh.

Overall – 8

Honestly? Delightful. And just what I needed this week – a story about two women who are there for one another.

Thanks, CW, you were absolutely right about this story. ^_^

You can nab this in print from Amazon JP or CD Japan, and in digital from Amazon JP Kindle or Bookwalker Global.